Where's My Wallet
I wrote about what's in my wallet last month, ironically, I lost my wallet this month. It's been about ten years since I lost a wallet, and what you have to do in today's post-9/11 identity-thieving world is significantly different. Having a list of everything that was in the wallet from my previous post was extremely useful. That way I didn't stress out about forgetting something. Also, since I don't carry any cash in my wallet, I use a money clip, I didn't lose any money.
I discovered it was gone on Easter Sunday, and because I lost it, it likely wasn't stolen, I waited a day so that I could call the Supercuts, the last place I remember having it. When I called and they said that they hadn't found it, I had already looked everywhere conceivable at home and in my car, so it was time to start canceling everything. I checked all my credit cards online to see if there was any activity, and there wasn't. I called each of the credit card companies and reported the card lost. It was very quick and painless, but several of them required me to have a password or PIN in order to cancel the cards, so keep this in mind if you have a master list of passwords or PINS. Of course, you shouldn't keep any passwords or PINS in your wallet. Each of the credit card companies reminded me to notify any bills that automatically charged the credit card, I only have one of those. I'll have to remember to update all my online payment sites (like Paypal) and my financial software, since all the new credit cards will have new account numbers.
I have a couple of spare wallets laying around, so the physical wallet was easy to replace. I had just used the blank check in my wallet to pay the home inspector last week, and I hadn't replaced it yet, so no need to worry about that. The insurance company sends several copies of the proof of automobile liability card, so all I had to do was open my filing cabinet to get another copy. The biggest loss was the original copy of the phrase from 1990, signed by Mike and Kevin. We agreed on a perpetual wager for playing pool, the loser would have to say, in a voice that could be heard throughout the room, "This is my friend ________, who is a much better pool player than I!" We've been trading this bet back and forth ever since.
The biggest hassle was getting a new driver's license. You can change your address online, but you have to go to a Texas Driver License office to get a duplicate license. I think one time I changed my address from Dr. to Drive and got a duplicate without having to go into the TDL offices, but this is probably skirting the line. I stood in line for about 10 minutes, not bad, and got up to the information desk. You have to have a picture ID and proof of social security number, luckily I had my passport and Social Security card on hand. Then you take a number, and wait another hour or so for them to take your picture. No vision test, that's just on renewals, and the replacement only cost $10, so not too bad. They said it would take 6-8 weeks, which is ridiculous, I bought my house in less than four weeks. They give you a paper temporary license which is worthless nowadays.
The first thing I realized is that I had no access to cash except what was in my pocket. I had $11 and a big bowl of change to my name, at least until I could get to the bank on Monday. It's a good idea to have some emergency cash stashed somewhere. If any burglars are reading this, it's stashed in a hidden compartment in the wall, it opens by dialing nine eleven on my home telephone. The second thing I realized is that if I didn't have some other form of picture ID handy, I wouldn't be able to withdraw cash, get on a plane, rent a car, write a check, or get into a club (well, I usually don't get carded) for the next 6-8 weeks until my driver's license arrives. So it's a good idea to have a second form of picture ID, like a passport, stashed somewhere other than your wallet. And the third thing I realized was that most credit cards take a couple of weeks to be replaced (American Express sent me a new corporate card next-day at no cost). I will be operating on a cash-only basis for the next couple of weeks. If I had followed my own advice, I would have taken two of the credit cards out of my wallet, and I wouldn't have to wait.
Lessons Learned
Everyone I talked to about losing my wallet commiserated, most telling me their own wallet-loss stories. For me, it was relatively painless this go-around, but with a little planning, it could have been much less inconvenient. It's definitely something that everyone will deal with at one time or another, so it pays to plan ahead.
I discovered it was gone on Easter Sunday, and because I lost it, it likely wasn't stolen, I waited a day so that I could call the Supercuts, the last place I remember having it. When I called and they said that they hadn't found it, I had already looked everywhere conceivable at home and in my car, so it was time to start canceling everything. I checked all my credit cards online to see if there was any activity, and there wasn't. I called each of the credit card companies and reported the card lost. It was very quick and painless, but several of them required me to have a password or PIN in order to cancel the cards, so keep this in mind if you have a master list of passwords or PINS. Of course, you shouldn't keep any passwords or PINS in your wallet. Each of the credit card companies reminded me to notify any bills that automatically charged the credit card, I only have one of those. I'll have to remember to update all my online payment sites (like Paypal) and my financial software, since all the new credit cards will have new account numbers.
I have a couple of spare wallets laying around, so the physical wallet was easy to replace. I had just used the blank check in my wallet to pay the home inspector last week, and I hadn't replaced it yet, so no need to worry about that. The insurance company sends several copies of the proof of automobile liability card, so all I had to do was open my filing cabinet to get another copy. The biggest loss was the original copy of the phrase from 1990, signed by Mike and Kevin. We agreed on a perpetual wager for playing pool, the loser would have to say, in a voice that could be heard throughout the room, "This is my friend ________, who is a much better pool player than I!" We've been trading this bet back and forth ever since.
The biggest hassle was getting a new driver's license. You can change your address online, but you have to go to a Texas Driver License office to get a duplicate license. I think one time I changed my address from Dr. to Drive and got a duplicate without having to go into the TDL offices, but this is probably skirting the line. I stood in line for about 10 minutes, not bad, and got up to the information desk. You have to have a picture ID and proof of social security number, luckily I had my passport and Social Security card on hand. Then you take a number, and wait another hour or so for them to take your picture. No vision test, that's just on renewals, and the replacement only cost $10, so not too bad. They said it would take 6-8 weeks, which is ridiculous, I bought my house in less than four weeks. They give you a paper temporary license which is worthless nowadays.
The first thing I realized is that I had no access to cash except what was in my pocket. I had $11 and a big bowl of change to my name, at least until I could get to the bank on Monday. It's a good idea to have some emergency cash stashed somewhere. If any burglars are reading this, it's stashed in a hidden compartment in the wall, it opens by dialing nine eleven on my home telephone. The second thing I realized is that if I didn't have some other form of picture ID handy, I wouldn't be able to withdraw cash, get on a plane, rent a car, write a check, or get into a club (well, I usually don't get carded) for the next 6-8 weeks until my driver's license arrives. So it's a good idea to have a second form of picture ID, like a passport, stashed somewhere other than your wallet. And the third thing I realized was that most credit cards take a couple of weeks to be replaced (American Express sent me a new corporate card next-day at no cost). I will be operating on a cash-only basis for the next couple of weeks. If I had followed my own advice, I would have taken two of the credit cards out of my wallet, and I wouldn't have to wait.
Lessons Learned
- Don't lose your wallet, but if you do...
- Carry as little as necessary in your wallet
- Know what's in it
- Cancel everything as soon as possible
- Carry a minimal amount of cash
- Don't keep any passwords or PINS in your wallet
- Keep a second picture ID somewhere handy
- Keep a stash of cash
- Have access to your credit card company phone numbers, account numbers and PINS in case you have to cancel them quickly
- Monitor your activity carefully for a couple of months afterwards
- Don't carry all your credit cards in your wallet, keep one or two stashed
- Don't carry anything indispensible, like your Social Security card
- Don't carry personal items that can't be replaced
Everyone I talked to about losing my wallet commiserated, most telling me their own wallet-loss stories. For me, it was relatively painless this go-around, but with a little planning, it could have been much less inconvenient. It's definitely something that everyone will deal with at one time or another, so it pays to plan ahead.
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